Kingdom Plantae Family Berberidaceae Scientific name Mahonia trifoliolata Rank Species | Order Ranunculales Genus Mahonia Higher classification Barberry | |
 | ||
Similar Barberry, Diospyros texana, Rhus virens, Berberidaceae, Berberis swaseyi | ||
Mahonia trifoliolata is a species of flowering plant in the family Berberidaceae, in southwestern North America. Common names include agarita, agrito, algerita, currant-of-Texas, wild currant, and chaparral berry.
Contents
Distribution
The shrub is native to Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in the Southwestern United States, and across Northeastern Mexico as far south as Durango and San Luis Potosí states. In Texas it is found on rocky slopes & cliffs, and in thickets and open woods, from coastal South Texas northwest to the Trans-Pecos region.
Description
Mahonia trifoliolata is an evergreen shrub that grows up to 3–8 ft (0.91–2.44 m) tall and wide. It has rigid and spreading branches, often forming thickets.
The foliage is gray-green to blue-gray, and the leaflets have sharp points at the ends.
Clusters of fragrant, yellow flowers bloom in February through April. They are followed by red berries from May to July.
Taxonomy
Several authorities consider the entire Mahonia genus as part of Berberis, in which case the scientific name becomes Berberis trifoliolata.
Uses
Songbirds eat the fruits, and quail and small mammals use the plant for cover. It is considered a good honey source.
Food
The bright red edible fruits of the agarita can be harvested around late April to early May. The fruits contain a slightly sweet and sour juice, when expelled the juice can be used to produce an agarita wine or used simply as a fruit juice drink. The fruits also contain seeds and can be used to germinate new agarita plants. The fruit is a red berry used in jellies.
Native Americans of the Apache, Chiricahua, and Mescalero tribes used the fresh and preserved fruit for food, and the wood shavings as a traditional eye medicine and a yellow dye for hides.
Cultivation
Mahonia trifoliolata is cultivated as an ornamental plant for use in desert region gardens. It is a low maintenance and drought tolerant plant, with a very high heat tolerance.